PPR357: Religion and Politics

Tutor:Katan Elder
Term: Lent

Course Description

This course focuses on key contexts and developments in the inter-relationship between religion and politics across the world. The major themes will be:

• the thesis that the influence of religion has declined in the western world, and its applicability to Christianity in the U.S.A;
• the thesis that there has been a resurgence of religion in politics in the world, and its relevance to the interpretation of politics in selected Islamic states (with special reference to Judaism and the Middle-East);
• constitutional attempts to negotiate the role of religion in a multi-religious polity, with special reference to Hinduism and Indian secularism;
• the management of religion through the concept of a state religion, through a comparison of the monarchies of the United Kingdom, Thailand and Japan.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Describe and analyse various ways in which religion has been understood in political contexts.
• Appraise the manner in which general theories about the role of religion in politics have actually engaged with the experience of different traditions and countries.
• Demonstrate a critical and informed awareness of the global diversity of the interaction between religion and politics.
• Compare and contrast experiences within that global diversity.
• Demonstrate some familiarity with the specific recent history of a range of traditions and countries.
• Use a range of published materials in engaging with the conceptual challenges of cross-cultural study of religion and politics and apply an understanding of religion to the study of politics and vice versa.

Assessment

40% coursework and 60% exam.
Coursework: 1 essay of 3000 words. Exam: 2 hours.

Teaching Method

Lecture (2 hours) weekly, and seminar (1 hour) fortnightly.

Introductory Reading

S. Bruce Politics and Religion

J. Haynes Religion in Global Politics

T. Ling (ed) Buddhism and Politics in Southeast Asia

R. Plant Politics, Theology and History

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